Legal Definitions - querela inofficiosi testamenti

Definition: Querela inofficiosi testamenti is a legal action in Roman law that allows a descendant, ascendant, or sibling who was unjustly disinherited or passed over by a parent's will to have the will set aside as undutifully made.

Example: If a father writes a will that disinherits his son without any valid reason, the son can file a querela inofficiosi testamenti to challenge the will and have it set aside. This legal action is only available to close relatives who have been unjustly disinherited or passed over by a parent's will.

This legal action was important in Roman law because it allowed close relatives to challenge a will that was made against natural duty and get it set aside, even if all the legal formalities were complied with.